AP Psychology Mega Review Notes

Overview

• Complete review of the AP Psychology course covering all five units in approximately 4 hours.
• Study guide worksheets available for download to complement video.

Unit 1: Biological Basis of Behavior

1.1 Interaction of Heredity and Environment

• Nature vs. Nurture: Debate on the influence of genetics (nature) vs. environmental factors (nurture) on behavior and traits.
• Evolutionary Perspective: Natural selection influences human behavior; traits ensuring survival are dominant.
• Eugenics: Misuse of evolutionary theory to justify discrimination; rejected by contemporary science.
• Research Methods:
  • Twin Studies: Compare identical and fraternal twins to assess genetic influence.
  • Family Studies: Examine traits across family members.
  • Adoption Studies: Compare adopted children with biological and adoptive families.

1.2 Overview of the Nervous System

• Central Nervous System (CNS): Composed of the brain and spinal cord.
• Peripheral Nervous System (PNS): Connects CNS to the body; divided into:
  • Somatic Nervous System: Controls voluntary movements.
  • Autonomic Nervous System: Controls involuntary functions. Divided into:
    • Sympathetic: Prepares body for fight or flight.
    • Parasympathetic: Calms the body post stress.

1.3 The Neuron and Neural Firing

• Neurons: Carry signals; types include sensory, motor, and interneurons.
• Neural Transmission: Process of signal propagation along neurons.
• Key neurotransmitters: Dopamine, Serotonin, Norepinephrine, GABA, etc., each with specific functions.
• Psychoactive Drugs: Alter neurotransmitter function affecting behavior and mood.

1.4 Structures of the Brain

• Brain Stem: Basic life functions (breathing, heart rate).
• Limbic System: Emotion and memory regulation (includes amygdala, hippocampus).
• Cerebral Cortex: Divided into lobes; responsible for higher order thinking and processing.

1.5 Sleep

• Stages of Sleep: NREM (1-3) and REM sleep; important for memory and restoration.
• Sleep Disorders: Insomnia, narcolepsy, REM sleep behavior disorder, etc.

1.6 Sensation

• Sensation vs. Perception: Sensation is detection of stimuli, perception is interpretation.
• Key concepts: Absolute Threshold, Just Noticeable Difference, Weber's Law, Sensory Adaptation.
• Visual System: Involves structures like retina, rods, cones, and color vision theories.

Unit 2: Cognition

2.1 Perception

• Bottom-Up vs. Top-Down Processing: Types of processing in perception.
• Schemas and Perceptual Sets: Mental frameworks guiding interpretation.
• Gestalt Principles: Closure, similarity, figure-ground.

2.2 Thinking and Problem Solving

• Concepts and Prototypes: Mental categories for grouping similar items.
• Problem Solving: Algorithms vs. heuristics.
• Decision-Making: Influenced by mental sets, priming, framing, and biases (e.g., gambler's fallacy).

2.3 Memory

• Types of Memory: Explicit (episodic, semantic) and implicit (procedural, prospective).
• Memory Models: Working memory model, multi-store model, levels of processing model.

2.4 Encoding Memories

• Techniques for Encoding: Mnemonic devices, chunking, spacing effect, serial position effect.

2.5 Storing Memories

• Memory Categories: Sensory, short-term, working, long-term memory.
• Rehearsal: Maintenance vs. elaborative rehearsal.

2.6 Retrieving Memories

• Types of Retrieval: Recall vs. recognition; factors enhancing retrieval (context-dependent, mood congruent).

2.7 Forgetting and Memory Challenges

• Forgetting Curve: Rapid loss initially, stabilizes over time.
• Retrieval Failures: Encoding failure, interference, inadequate retrieval.

2.8 Intelligence

• Theories of Intelligence: Spearman's g, Gardner's multiple intelligences, Sternberg's triarchic theory.
• Measurement: IQ scores, fairness in testing, stereotype threat.

Unit 3: Developmental Psychology

3.1 Themes and Methods in Development

• Themes: Stability vs. change, nature vs. nurture, continuity vs. discontinuity.
• Research Methods: Cross-sectional vs. longitudinal studies.

3.2 Physical Development Across the Lifespan

• Prenatal Factors: Teratogens, maternal illness, genetic mutations.
• Childhood Development: Motor skills, depth perception, critical periods.

3.3 Sex and Gender

• Differences: Biological vs. social roles; gender schema theory.

3.4 Cognitive Development

• Piaget's Stages: Sensorimotor, pre-operational, concrete operational, formal operational.
• Vygotsky's Sociocultural Theory: Scaffolding, zone of proximal development.

3.5 Communication and Language Development

• Stages: Non-verbal gestures, cooing, babbling, one-word stage, telegraphic speech.
• Errors: Overgeneralization.

3.6 Social Emotional Development

• Theories: Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory, parenting styles, attachment styles, psychosocial development by Erikson.
• Peer Relationships: Parallel play, adolescent ego-centrism.

Unit 4: Social Psychology

4.1 Attribution Theory

• Types of Attribution: Dispositional vs. situational.
• Explanatory Style: Optimistic vs. pessimistic.

4.2 Attitudes and Beliefs

• Stereotypes: Implicit attitudes, belief perseverance.
• Cognitive Dissonance: Uncomfortable feelings when beliefs and actions conflict.

4.3 Social Situations

• Social Norms: Unwritten rules guiding behavior.
• Social Influence: Normative vs. informational.

4.4 Psychoanalytic and Humanistic Theories

• Psychodynamic Theory: Unconscious thoughts and early experiences (Freud).
• Humanistic Theory: Focus on growth and potential (Rogers).

4.5 Personality Theories

• Traits vs. Social Cognitive Theory: Big Five model, reciprocal determinism.

4.6 Motivation

• Theories: Drive reduction, arousal, self-determination.

4.7 Emotion

• Definitions: Psychological responses, physiological vs. cognitive aspects.

Unit 5: Health Psychology

5.1 Stress

• Stressors: Ustress vs. distress; types of stressors.
• General Adaptation Syndrome: Alarm, resistance, exhaustion stages.

5.2 Positive Psychology

• Gratitude: Benefits of expressing gratitude.
• Signature Strengths: Six virtues.
• Post-Traumatic Growth: Positive change after trauma.

5.3 Psychological Disorders

• Identifying Disorders: Dysfunction, distress, deviation.
• Classification Systems: DSM and ICD.

5.4 Treatment Options

• Types of Treatments: Psychodynamic, cognitive, behavioral, humanistic, group therapy.

5.5 Effectiveness of Psychotherapy

• Therapeutic Alliance: Importance of a trusting relationship.
• Ethical Principles: Non-maleficence, respect for dignity.

Conclusion

• Comprehensive review of all AP Psychology content.
• Use study guides and flashcards to reinforce knowledge and prepare for the exam.